7th Heaven

Seventh Heaven
SECMatchups.com Original Content
April 25, 2009
Every draft site you visit has their “mock draft” posted, and almost all of them have one thing in common: They all pick the first three rounds of the draft and ignore the seventh round. It is easy to figure out who is going where in the top ten or so. It takes real courage to pick the last round, because there is not tons of reason you can apply to your selection process. However, we believe the lucky seventh round is the most fun. It is where we find Mr. Irrelevant, who will once again attend a day in his honor in sunny Newport Beach, California. Not a bad gig. The seventh round is also where you find the players who are hanging on to a dream…a dream of playing in the NFL. All they want is just a chance to suit up. It is in their honor that we produce our first annual “Seventh Round Mock Draft.” Look for the surprises. Dream their dreams. Some of these guys will become real impact players.
Overall Pick
Team
Name
School
Position
210
Dallas (from Detroit)
Nathan Brown
Arkansas St.
QB
211
St. Louis
Rs'Shon Harris
Oregon
DT
212
Kansas City
Garrett Reynolds
North Carolina
OT
213
Seattle
Ashlee Palmer
Ole Miss
LB
214
Miami (from Cleveland)
Will Johnson
Michigan
DE
215
Cincinnati
Jamarko Simmons
Western Michigan
WR
216
Oakland
Jerrad Powers
Auburn
CB
217
Tampa Bay (from Jacksonville)
Al Alfalava
Oregon State
SS
218
Green Bay
Terrence Knighton
Temple
DT
219
San Francisco
Blake Schluter
TCU
CB
220
Buffalo
Harry Melton
Texas
DE
221
Minnesota (from Washington)
Don Carey
Norfolk State
CB
222
New Orleans
Quinten Lawrence
McNeese State
WR
223
Houston
Graham Harrell
Texas Tech
QB
224
San Diego
Gary Brown
Alabama(former cheerleader)
???
225
Denver
Sammie Stroughter
Oregon State
WR
226
Pittsburgh (from Tambay Bay)
Nate Ness
Arizona
FS
227
Dallas
Jacob Lacey
Oklahoma State
CB
228
N.Y. Jets
Ryan Moulton
Hawaii
CB
229
Tampa Bay (from Chicago)
Tony Carter
Florida State
CB
230
Philadelphia
Jason Cherry
La-Lafayette
WR
231
Minnesota
Brandon Walker
Oklahoma
G
232
Miami
Andrew Means
Indiana
WR
233
Tampa Bay (from Baltimore)
Brandon Gibson
Washington State
WR
234
New England
Nate Davis
Ball State
QB
235
Denver (from Atlanta)
Alex Boone
Ohio State
OT
236
Indianapolis
Bear Pescoe
Fresno State
TE
237
Miami (from Carolina)
Captain Munnerlyn
South Carolina
CB
238
N.Y. Giants
Stephen Hodge
TCU
OLB
239
Tennessee
Everette Pendescleau
Northen Iowa
DE
240
Arizona
Jared Bronson
Central Washington
TE
241
Pittsburgh
Robert Francois
Boston College
OLB
242
Tennessee (Compensatory Selection)
Frank Peterson
Idaho State
WR
243
Washington (Compensatory Selection)
Jeremiah Johnson
Oregon
RB
244
San Francisco (Compensatory Selection)
Ramon Foster
Tennessee
OT
245
Seattle (Compensatory Selection)
Reshard Langford
Vanderbilt
SS
246
Chicago (Compensatory Selection)
Ray Felinger
Brigham Young
OG
247
Seattle (Compensatory Selection)
Derek Pegues
Miss. State
FS
248
Seattle (Compensatory Selection)
Greg Isddan
West Virginia
OG
249
Cincinnati (Compensatory Selection)
Marcus McClinton
Kentucky
FS
250
Jacksonville (Compensatory Selection)
Devine Moore
Wyoming
RB
251
Chicago (Compensatory Selection)
Quar Cosby
Texas
WR
252
Cincinnati (Compensatory Selection)
Augustus Parnish
Kent State
OT
253
Jacksonville (Compensatory Selection)
Corey Irvin
Georgia
DT
254
Arizona (Compensatory Selection)
Deon Butler
Penn State
WR
255
Detroit (Compensatory Selection)
Domonique Johnson
Jackson State
CB
256
Kansas City (Compensatory Selection)
Eron Riley
Duke
WR

Don't overlook these guys

There is no need to find the easy button when it comes to making a decision to select Matthew Stafford or Knowshon Moreno. These guys will perform. You can think hard about Percy Harvin given concerns over drug use, or worry about just how good Andre Smith might be. Go ahead, but these players have shown they can get it done on a football field at the highest levels. It is a given that Robert Ayers and Derek Pegeus can play defense, and should be good in the NFL. These are not the kind of guys that general managers and coaches struggle with taking. They will, and should, be drafted by an NFL team. The real surprise will come if they last until day two.

What is hard? Trying to make a decision about a guy that may seem a step too slow or an inch short. It is more difficult to decide if the one year starter is really just a one year wonder or a late bloomer. There are players in every draft who make a significant impact coming from the later rounds of the draft or free agency. Despite all the evaluations, energy and discussion that goes into a prospect picking players from the available pool is not an exact science. Ever hear of a guy named Kurt Warner? Well, what names that you hear later, instead of earlier should you be listening for this weekend? Guys that might just be a little overlooked. Here are a few from the SEC.

Cornelius Ingram is a tight end from Florida who explodes off the line and get away from man-to-man coverage. His blocking skills cause some NFL teams concern, and so does the ACL injury he is coming off of.

Glenn Coffee ran the ball hard for Alabama last year from his running back position. He is a straight ahead runner and catches the ball pretty well. It is his breakaway speed that gives pause to teams in the pro ranks.

Alabama tight end Travis McCall is not tall enough for the NFL. That is the book, but he has excellent hands, can find the open spot and is a proven blocker. Maybe the biggest surprise in this group if given a chance.

Keith Fitzhugh stands in the shadows of his higher profile secondary mate, Derek Pegues, but he is a talent in his own right. He is physical enough to play in the box, but what is causing concern among the scouts is his ability to cover people in a man.

Kentucky’s Johnny Williams was surrounded by higher profile defensive players in his senior year, most of them juniors, but he was still the leader in sacks for the Cats. He is big enough to make plays, but his speed is the barrier between him and the NFL.

The best, first NFL draft pick, ever from the SEC

Matthew Stafford may move the number up one from thirteen. That is the number of SEC football players who were taken with the overall first pack of the NFL draft, an honor that Stafford hopes to have this year. The oldest player to receive this distinction dates back to 1940. George Cafego was taken out of Tennessee by the Cardinals, and you can be pretty sure it was not with the pomp and circumstance of the last number one, JaMarcus Russell from LSU.
How do these number one players stack up compared to each other? Who can really say, but here is one listing to start the conversation rolling. Write back with your opinion. Going from best to worst…

Year Player School Drafted By
1965 Joe Namath Alabama Jets
Reinvented the way quarterback is played in the NFL. I guarantee it.

1998 Peyton Manning Tennessee Colts
The last SEC quarterback to revolutionize the game.

1986 Bo Jackson Auburn Raiders
What might have been if not for injury. Think “Bo Knows?”

1960 Billy Cannon LSU Rams
A rare combination of speed and strength for his time.

1948 Harry Gilmer Alabama Redskins
Played eight years in the NFL with the redskins and Lions.

2004 Eli Manning Ole Miss Giants
He has achieved his success with a considerably less talented supporting cast than Peyton.

1943 Frank Sinkwich Georgia Lions
Quick, who is the first SEC player to win the Heisman? Did you guess Sinkwich?

1940 George Cafego Tennessee Cardinals
After one season he was called to duty by a greater calling. His country needed him to serve in WWII.

1952 Billy Wade Vanderbilt Rams
Was he the Rams first round pick or a “bonus pick?” He has an opinion on this.

1961 Tucker Frederickson Auburn Giants
Auburn coach, Shug Jordan, once called him the most complete football player ever.

1953 Harry Babcock Georgia 49’ers
From New York, this wide receiver was one of the first to be able to go up and get the ball.

1999 Tim Couch Kentucky Browns
Is one of the all-time leaders for passing in Brown’s history. That does not speak well of Cleveland.

2007 JaMarcus Russell LSU Raiders
So far it has not been really easy. Might have had a better chance with a different team.

So, if Stafford is the first name called this Saturday, where do you think he will wind up on the list? Time will tell.

Who from the SEC will be drafted? Part two: Defense

Speed kills and the pace of the defensive game in the SEC is what sets it apart from other conferences. While the Big 12 and Pac 10 may boast great scoring offenses, they can’t make that claim very often when they step on the field to play their peers from the SEC. The players listed below are waiting to hear their name called this weekend in the NFL draft. These are the players other schools have game planned for on offense and will be glad to see go on to pro ball.

First Round

Peria Jerry, Defensive Tackle, Ole Miss Rebels
Can get into the backfield, disrupt a play, and get to a quarterback.

D.J. Moore, Cornerback, Vanderbilt Commodores
Some see him slipping into later rounds because of his slow 40 times. He has shown over time the ability to cover great receivers and be physical.

Second Round

Robert Ayers, Defensive End, Tennessee Volunteers
Given his instincts and strength we think someone will take a chance early on this fast player.

Ashlee Palmer, Outside Linebacker, Ole Miss Rebels
Not as big as some people want, but is an ideal player for teams that run a 4-3 defense.

Asher Allen, Cornerback, Georgia Bulldogs
Reads plays very well and is explosive to the ball.

Derek Pegues, Safety, Mississippi State Bulldogs
His size will cause teams to pass in the first round, but he has the skills to be there. He will make some team a great player.

Third Round

Dannell Ellerbe, Inside Linebacker, Georgia Bulldogs
Has demonstrated the ability to track plays down and make a big hit when he arrives.

Darry Beckwith, Inside Linebacker, LSU Tigers
Good tackling skills and a solid athlete. Some may question his size.

Emmanuel Cook, Safety, South Carolina Gamecocks
Can make plays in the passing or running game. Gets from sideline to sideline well.

Rashad Johnson, Safety, Alabama Crimson Tide
The former walk-on is a tough, physical player, but his coverage skills are not proven.

Tyson Jackson, Defensive End, LSU Tigers
Is a versatile enough to play tackle or end, which will increase his values to many teams.

Second Day Picks

Defensive Ends
Kirston Pittman, LSU Tigers

Defensive Tackles
Sen’Derrick Marks, Auburn Tigers
Rickey Jean-Francois, LSU Tigers
Corey Irvin, Georgia Bulldogs
Myron Pryor, Kentucky Wildcats
Marlon Favorite, LSU Tigers

Outside Linebacker
Merrill Johnson, Auburn Tigers
Defensive Backs
Captain Munnerlyn

Which SEC players will be drafted and why? Part one: Offense

Every few years lines are drawn that determine which football players will get the opportunity to continue playing the game and which ones will find themselves watching from the stands. The first major leap comes during the transition from junior high school to senior high. The first major elimination of talent occurs when national letters of intent to play college ball are signed by about one of every seventeen high school players. For this small group the next round of cuts is even more significant. To be one of the names chosen by an NFL team to play not for Old State any longer, but major greenbacks. Only one in fifty college players will have this honor, and draft day will hold significantly more anxiety than national signing day. Why? This time the teams choose the players.

Which SEC players should have the excitement of hearing their name called when the NFL draft is held April 25-26? Below are some of the offensive players from the nation’s best conference who have their hopes up for the big day, when a phone call means the dream gets to move to the next level.

First Round

Matthew Stafford, Quarterback, Georgia Bulldogs
Stafford has wowed the scouts with his strong arm and poise through the screening process. It will be a real surprise if the longsuffering Detroit Lions take anyone other than him with the first overall pick.
Pa
Percy Harvin, Wide Receiver, Florida Gators
Speed, ability to take the ball to the house and great hands make Harvin a sure first rounder. Questions are now arising about potential drug use but this should only cause him to slide further into the first round than original forecasts.

Andre Smith, Offensive Tackle, Alabama Crimson Tide
It was just a few months ago that Smith was thought to be a potential top three overall pick. That won’t happen after the last few months. In the end his athleticism and college success will cause some team to call his name in the first round.

Michael Oher, Offensive Tackle, Ole Miss Rebels
Oher has been the subject of a bestselling book and seen his life turn from a very different outcome that was awaiting him before football. NFL teams are concerned about his strength and intelligence to grasp the game. Like Smith, someone will watch the tape and realize he can play.

Second Round

Knowshon Moreno, Running Back, Georgia Bulldogs
A great player, playing a position that has a short NFL shelf life. It is also easy to find talent in later rounds.

Cornelius Ingram, Tight End, Florida Gators
Ingram runs good routes and has reliable hands, but needs to become a better blocker.

Jason Watkins, Offensive Tackle, Florida Gators
Gets off the ball quickly and is physical when playing with passion.

Third Round

Mohamed Massaquoi, Wide Receiver, Georgia Bulldogs
Will go into traffic for the ball and is explosive.

Brannan Southerland, Fullback, Georgia Bulldogs
His ability to catch the ball and the success of Peyton Hillis in Denver last year moves Southerland into day one.

Jared Cook, Tight End, South Carolina Gamecocks
Has the speed to run away from defensive players after catching the ball in a crowd.

Antoine Caldwell, Center, Alabama Crimson Tide
Versatile, strong and the among the best run blockers in the draft.

Jonathan Luigs, Center, Arkansas
Has been the best blocker, for one of the best running teams in college football over the last for years.

Here is a quick look at the offensive players who will hear their name on the second day of the draft barring something unforeseen.

Running Back
Arian Foster-Tennessee Volunteers
Glen Coffee-Alabama Crimson Tide

Wide Receiver
Louis Murphy-Florida Gators
Kenny McKinley-South Carolina Gamecocks
Demetrius Byrd-Mississippi State Bulldogs

Offensive Lineman
Ramon Foster-Tennessee Volunteers
Maurice Miller-LSU Tigers
Marlon Davis-Alabama Crimson Tide
Tyronne Green-Auburn Tigers
Tomorrow we will take a look at the players on the other side of the ball who are anxiously waiting for draft day. For each of these young men, the dream lives on for a while longer.

Sneaky touchdowns

It was during a game in Starkville on the home field of Mississippi State when I stepped in front of the pass and took it 100 yards for a touchdown. The crowd was rocking and I raised my arms crossing the goal line and tossed the ball to the official. The first touchdown still stands out the most in my memory though. Taking a handoff from Fred at the goal line, jumping into the air over the offensive line, and with a slight twist of my body found the open seam between the linebackers crashing through the lines. I saw Chip’s arms shoot straight up, and in the days before replay I knew my touchdown in “The Swamp” was secure.

The former was the last one and the latter was the first time. No, not to really score a touchdown in a big SEC game, but the first and last time I managed to sneak into a college stadium completely void of all the pageantry of Saturday. No people in the stands anticipating their team running into the stadium. No band marching into formation while playing their fight song. Not even a security guard keeping a dreamer from scoring a touchdown on the playing field. In my travels it has become a valued way to fill time between meetings or end a day. To date there has not been a single one that could not be conquered. There are also a few rules. First, no fence climbing (not at my age). Second, respect the playing surface. If the school is trying to grow a new stand of grass, stay off of it. All touchdowns come near the sidelines, not the middle of the field. Third, try hard to get a picture.

In the years since the mid-80’s when we made our way into the swamp at about 5:30 in the morning while on a road trip with best friends there have probably been at least 40 stadiums it has been a privilege to observe in quiet. At Clemson Howard’s Rock was available to touch and the home of the Washington Huskies has the most beautiful view outside the stadium there is…it must be comforting when you are getting drilled badly.  At Georgia Tech my “uniform” consisted of worn Asics running shoes, shorts and a sweaty t-shirt, while at Stanford my jacket came off, but the tie stayed on for a long kickoff return to score.

Is there a retirement on the horizon from this absurd hobby? Nope. Which stadium is the most impressive? They are all special in their own way. Who are you playing for? Do those who know me really have to ask? Do your children approve of this? They have come to understand the eccentric nature of their father. Does your wife ever go with you? No, she has much more common sense. Which stadium is next? Not about to give some school a heads up to lock their gates.

Which college stadium do you find to be the best and why? Send a note and let me know. Meanwhile enjoy the rest of spring practice from around country, because football news will soon be hard to find. But we will have all of it for you at SECMatchups.com

Gary

gary@secmatchups.com